The Trump administration has abruptly canceled travel for thousands of refugees who had already been approved to resettle in the United States. This decision, part of a broader executive order cracking down on immigration, has left many refugees in limbo, including over 1,600 Afghans who assisted U.S. forces and the families of active-duty American military personnel.
The administration had initially indicated that refugees who had already been screened and booked for travel before the January 27 deadline might still be permitted to enter. However, an email from the U.S. agency overseeing refugee processing and arrivals has now confirmed that all refugee admissions are suspended indefinitely.
Thousands of Refugees Affected
More than 10,000 refugees from around the world had already completed the yearslong vetting process and were scheduled to travel in the coming weeks. Many had anticipated delays due to the policy change but had hoped that those already approved would be granted an exception. However, the administration’s decision to halt the program earlier than expected has upended these plans, leaving refugees stranded at various locations worldwide.
Among those affected are over 1,600 Afghans who had been cleared for entry under a special initiative established after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Many of these individuals had worked closely with American forces, providing critical support during the war. Veterans and advocacy groups have long pushed for their resettlement, citing the risks these individuals face due to their past collaboration with U.S. forces.
Uncertainty and Policy Changes
Trump’s executive order, signed earlier in the week, had originally given the State Department a week to implement the suspension. However, the timeline appears to have been accelerated, with no clear explanation provided for the sudden change. The White House has not responded to inquiries regarding the decision.
Although the refugee program is currently suspended, the program established by Congress for Afghans who worked directly with the U.S. government under the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) remains unchanged. This initiative offers an alternative route to resettlement; however, it has long been criticized for its slow processing and bureaucratic hurdles.
Backlash and Criticism
The suspension has sparked concern among refugee organizations and advocates, who argue that the program is already one of the most rigorous in the world, involving extensive background checks and years of waiting. They warn that the sudden halt to admissions is particularly devastating for families who had already endured extreme hardship and were just days or even hours away from reaching safety in the U.S.
Resettlement agencies, which assist refugees in adjusting to life in the U.S., have also voiced frustration. Many emphasize that this program aligns with the legal immigration policies that the Trump administration claims to support.
The U.S. refugee resettlement program has historically enjoyed bipartisan backing, though Trump previously paused admissions and lowered the annual refugee cap during his first term. Refugees differ from asylum seekers in that they must apply for resettlement while living outside the U.S., often through a referral from the United Nations.
As thousands of refugees remain in limbo, uncertainty continues to surround the future of U.S. refugee policy under the Trump administration’s latest immigration restrictions.